The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) is a complex ocean drilling project that will be conducted over several years with multiple expedition teams of scientists from all around the world. NanTroSEIZE attempts for the first time to drill, sample, and instrument the earthquake-causing, or seismogenic portion of Earth’s crust, where violent, large-scale earthquakes have occurred repeatedly throughout history.
The Nankai Trough is located beneath the ocean off the southwest coast of Japan. It is one of the most active earthquake zones on the planet. The plan for NanTroSEIZE includes drilling, below the ocean, very deep into the Earth to observe earthquake mechanisms. Samples will be collected in order to study the frictional properties of the rock and sensors are to be installed deep beneath the sea floor to record earthquakes up close. The sensors and sample data are expected to yield insight into the processes responsible for earthquakes and tsunami. The data may shed light on how water and rock interact in subduction zones to influence earthquake occurrence.